Snapchat Updates Its Features in a Drastic Way

The Snapchat Update: More than Just Selfies

Yesterday, Snapchat, a photo-sharing app, unveiled its biggest update to date. Many new and substantial features have been added to the app.  These updates seem have morphed Snapchat from a simple and easy single-feature app into a much more dense and complicated app.

One of the major changes included in Snapchat’s update is the interface.  The entire user interface of the social media app has ben redesigned including the icons, menus, and buttons.  Even the font has been change to a smaller and sleeker option.  The redesigned interface, however, is just the beginning.

The ability to text message is another prominent feature of Snapchat’s update.  Previously users could send a 45-character blurb along with their photo or video.  Users can now have full conversations with their Snapchat friends by merely swiping right on a username when on the inbox page.  Users are also able to share pictures through this messaging section of the app.  Users can take a new photo of themselves in traditional Snapchat fashion or use a photo saved on the phone’s camera roll.  This new photo feature is only available when messaging. Snapchat New Features Users will still be unable to access photos from their camera roll when using the photo-sharing portion of the app.  Of course, these text and photo messages will delete but only after both users leave the screen.

Video chatting is another new feature Snapchat has added to the app.  This feature can only be activated when both users have the app open and are viewing that particular conversation. Like other video chatting mechanism, the snapchat update allows users to toggle between both the front and back cameras.

This Snapchat update seems to incorporate aspects of WhatsApp, a mobile messaging app recently acquired by Facebook, and aspects of Apple’s FaceTime, an iOS video chatting service.

Many believed Snapcaht to be a fad that would eventually fade. However, it has been able to  stay relevant for some time.  These Snapchat updates seem to encompass (let’s be honest, cram in) many different and new elements.  Do you think this was an attempt for Snapchat to stay relevant in the eyes of the consumer? Or is this update the way of the future?

 

 

Google and Twitter Venture into Mobile App Install Advertisements

Mobile App Install Advertisements Gain Popularity

Facebook, Google, and Twitter have all allowed for companies to advertise on their websites for years, but recently mobile advertising, specifically mobile app install advertisements, have become extremely predominant. Mobile app install ads enable users to download games and other apps directly to their mobile device from the ad itself. Continue reading

“Made With IBM” Takes on the Masters

Has IBM Changed What a Sponsorship Entails?

Many companies use sports sponsorships to kick-start a new campaign.  The company typically introduces a few fresh commercials, each of which will run multiple times throughout the event.  These commercial are usually supported with coinciding social, print, and outdoor media.  Think the P&G “Thank You, Mom” commercials that ran throughout the Olympics. Continue reading

Smart Appliances on the Rise

Could Smart Appliances Revolutionize Our Households? 

Remember the Disney movie Smart House, where a teen wins a fully automated dream house?  Well, that smart house might become a reality.  The smart technology used in your phone or tablet has made its way to household appliances.  The rise of dishwashers, refrigerators, washers, dryers, and other appliances with smart technology capabilities will soon be apparent. Continue reading

Crowdfunding Turns Your Ideas Into Reality

Is Crowdfunding the Future for Startups, Artists, and Entrepreneurs?

Crowdfunding is one of the newest and fastest growing trends on the Internet.  By definition, it is the practice of funding a project, typically via the Internet, by raising smaller amounts of money from a larger number of people.  Crowdfunding has enabled millions of people to contribute money to turn conceptualized products and projects into reality. Continue reading

Mobile Payment Becomes the Newest Trend in the Fast-food Industry

Burger King and Wendy’s  Introduce  Mobile Payment Apps 

Having the ability to pay for things via smartphone has become a somewhat common phenomenon.  However, in recent weeks fast-food restaurants have been jumping at this trend.  Burger King and Wendy’s, popular fast-food chains, have recently announced plans for mobile payment of fast food via smartphone. Continue reading

Moov: The Next Generation of Fitness Bands

Wearable Technology Enters the World of Personal Training

Wearable technology is a broad term for devices and gadgets that can be worn by a consumer and are used to make every day activates easier.  Both fitness bands and smartwatches have become very popular among the mainstream audiences. Moov, a brand new fitness band created by an ex-Apple engineer, will change the inaccuracy that has come to be expected by other fitness bands and act as a personal trainer for its owners.  Yesterday, Moov was launched through an already successful  crowd funding campaign. Continue reading

Google Fiber Plans to Expands Its Network of Super Fast Internet

What Does Google Fiber Mean For the Future?

Google Fiber is a high-speed Internet service that has the potential to change the Internet as we know it.  It is nearly 100 times faster than most of the current high-speed Internet connections.  This means you could download a movie or an entire album of music in only a few seconds.  It also means that there is very little buffering time, which makes Netflix marathons even easier.  Continue reading

Social Media Changing the Way News is Received and Olympic Games Prove It

Social Media Takes Over the News and the Olympics 

In the past, news was only accessible at strict times determined by the media channels.  If you wanted to watch the local news, you had to tune in at the right time or it was gone forever.  Social media has greatly changed this.  Because of social media, you to never have to pick up a newspaper or watch a television again in order to be updates on the news.  Social media has given consumers the power to access news when they want, where they want, and from whichever sources they want. Continue reading

Social Media Changing the Super Bowl Advertising Game

Social Media Amps Up Advertising and Gives the Audience Another Reason to Watch the Super Bowl

Social media has certainly had a great influence on America, but what about one of America’s most celebrated days—Super Bowl Sunday?   Commercials have become as vital to the party as the beer and the company. Continue reading